Court Determines 51-year old Bylaw is Invalid
APEGBC was recently involved in a Court case where an applicant for professional membership challenged the validity of the bylaw that sets out the experience requirement for registration. The presiding judge in the case ruled that the bylaw is invalid because it is not explicit enough in defining what kind and how much experience is required. As a result of the Court's ruling, there is no longer a bylaw that references the experience required to be registered as a professional engineer or geoscientist; as APEGBC considers this to be a crucial aspect in determining qualification for membership, it is temporarily ceasing to grant registration to professional engineers (P.Eng.) and professional geoscientists (P.Geo.). The Association is currently exploring all of its options, and is working to resolve the situation as swiftly and effectively as possible so as to limit the disruption to those applying for membership as professional engineers and professsional geoscientists.
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Inspection Services During the City of Vancouver’s Labour Dispute
During the City of Vancouver labour dispute inspection services will not be available. The City of Vancouver has identified that Professional Engineers may carry out “inspection services,” normally carried out by City of Vancouver inspectors, in order for construction to proceed on building projects in the City of Vancouver that have a current building permit. These inspections cover electrical, plumbing and gas services.
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Standard Scope of Practice for Limited Licences to be Piloted
In 2006, APEGBC created a Limited License Task Force to look at improving the limited license application process. One of the chief recommendations of the task force was to create standard scopes of practice for limited licences. The advantage of a standard scope of practice is that it can be applicable to a large group of practitioners, thus removing the burden on the candidate to develop and detail an individual scope of practice.
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New Limited Licence in Engineering Program - Standard Scope of Practice for Electrical Technologists Providing Electrical Design Services for Buildings
APEGBC is soliciting expressions of interest from those interested in piloting a Limited Licence in Engineering program for electrical technologists providing electrical design services for buildings. Successful applicants will be granted a limited licence to practice professional engineering.
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Update on Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Relating to Terrain Stability Work in the Forest Sector
On February 3, 2006 APEGBC became aware of an Inspection Report issued by WorkSafe BC to International Forest Products Limited dated Jan. 30,2006. This Inspection Report explicitly enforces Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 20.78, which stipulates that only Professional Engineers can develop forest road design measures prepared as part of a Terrain Stability Assessment if field conditions meet any of the criteria defined in Section 20.78 of the OHS Regulations. Recently, APEGBC contacted WorkSafe BC regarding what amendments would be made following WorkSafe BC’s public hearings in June and its review of submissions made to them over the summer.
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New Passport Guarantor Policy
A new guarantor policy for Canadian passports came into effect on October 1, 2007. This new policy allows most adult Canadian passport holders residing in Canada or the U.S. to act as guarantors for passport applications. Professional engineers and professional geoscientists must meet the eligibility requirements of the new policy in order to act as passport guarantors.
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Expressions of Interest Sought for New Environmental Engineering and Geoscience Division
An interest has been expressed to create a new Division within APEGBC to enhance the fields of environmental engineering and geoscience in relation to contaminated sites investigations, remediation, monitoring and risk assessment; contaminant hydrogeology; landfill issues pertaining to soil and groundwater quality and monitoring; and brownfields.
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APEGBC Members: Count Yourself In
Don’t forget to vote! Council Election and Bylaw Vote Ballot packages were mailed out in the last week of August. Please take the time to review the Council Election and Bylaw Vote booklets and make your vote count by returning your ballots to the Association Offices by noon on Friday, October, 12, 2007. If you haven’t yet received your ballot, please contact Tim Verigin at tverigin@apeg.bc.ca or (604) 412-4872.
Deadline to Update Annual Billing Contact Information - Monday, October 15, 2007
Members who have recently changed their mailing and/or e-mail address should note that they will need to update their member contact information in order to receive the 2008 Annual Fee Renewal Invoice and Information. The fee renewal package will be e-mailed out in late October, while the Canada Post renewal package will be mailed mid-November. The deadline to update member contact information is Monday, October 15, 2007. Members are strongly encouraged to provide a current e-mail address in order to minimize postage, printing, and other costs. The "online only" fee renewal process is the most efficient and environmentally friendly way of renewing membership, and close to 9,000 members have already elected to receive the 2008 fee renewal package by e-mail only.
Verify or update your contact information>>>
Hutchison Medal Lecture Tour
The 2007-2008 GAC Hutchison Medal Lecture is being held in Vancouver on Thursday, October 11. The W.W. Hutchison Medal is awarded to a young individual by the Geological Association of Canada for recent exceptional advances in Canadian earth science research. This year, the winner of the Hutchison Medal is Dr. Jeremy Richards, P.Geol. of the University of Alberta, who will be presenting a talk on "Alkalic-type Epithermal Gold Deposits" at 4 pm at SFU Harbour Centre. For more information, see the Geoscience BC Website at www.geosciencebc.com, or click on the link below.
More information>>>
Engineering and Geoscience Undergraduate Scholarships
The APEGBC Foundation offers a number of scholarships to engineering and geoscience students attending BC universities. Two scholarships are currently available this fall: the 2007 APEG-MAPS scholarships and the 2007 South Central Branch Thompson Rivers University Engineering Transfer scholarship.
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Discipline & Enforcement
Stipulated Order – Elzbieta (Elizabeth) Lawrynowicz, P.Eng., Delta, BC
A complaint was received by the Association from the City of Vancouver regarding documents received from Ms. Lawrynowicz in support of a building permit application for a temporary structure. The matter was investigated by staff and referred to the Investigation Committee. A sub-committee was appointed which, after reviewing all the materials, found that the work was deficient and recommended an inquiry.
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Our Employment Section is updated daily. See www.apeg.bc.ca/services/employmentcentre/careers/index.html for the latest career listings.
Welcome New Sponsors
APEGBC is pleased to welcome the following sponsors of our 2007 Annual Conference. The conference will take place at the TELUS Whistler Conference Centre from October 25-27.
Gold
Bronze
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2007 APEGBC Annual Conference, or if you are considering exhibiting at the conference Tradeshow please contact Tim Verigin at (604) 412-4872, or tverigin@apeg.bc.ca.
